I bought an Eibach Alignment Kit for a 2000 Maxima GLE (#5.81250k) but the bolts don't work properly. They slipped every time! I had a professional install the bolts yesterday. He worked on the car for 3 or 4 hours. The bolts were installed and the car was aligned about 5 times and each time, after a quick test drive, the bolts slipped and the aligment was totally thrown off. Upon attempting to drive home, the bolts shifted when turning and the alignment got screwed up again.

It seems that these bolts are simply poorly designed. I know its the right part and I know they are supposed to be smaller than the stock bolts to allow adjustment, but this is ridiculous. I paided a whole bunch of money to have the bolts installed and the car aligned, and now Im paying more to have them removed (My car is in the shop right now; we didn't have time yesterday).

I've read that other people have had problems with these bolts. I was hoping that I could get some input from anyone who has had problems with the Eibach alignment kit. The people who sold the kit to me want to say that the bolts are fine and that it's somehow my fault that they don't work and a professional can't install properly. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Daniel

 

mine slipped on one side, the camber would change as i turn the wheel, basically tighten that thing like a ****

 

You shouldn't need them in the first place! Eibach drop isn't that low, your car should have enough play in it to bring it in spec.

If they can't get it even on both sides that way, try another shop. There's almost a full degree of free play on our suspensions. If nothing is bent or worn, you should still be able to get it back within specs without the bolts.

 

If you must use the camber bolt use threadlocker. Have the installer use loctite red. You should not experience any slippage. I have the same camber kit on mine and I read about the slippage some experienced. Since loctite is anaerobic it will harden like glue when sandwiched. I applied it on the mating surface of the bolt and nut (sandwiched between the strut mounting flange and the nut or bolt) and both sides of the alignment tab ring and it never slipped.


(blue arrows indicate where I applied the loctite)

However the car has to sit for at least 1/2 hr for the loctite to harden (takes 24hrs to fully cure) so I would try to do it yourself at home 1st or let the car sit before the mechanic takes it out for a spin. Drive off the lift slowly too.

 

With camber bolts, you MUST tighten them to factory specs. I forget what it actually is, but I think its 80 lb/ft on one bolt and 110 on the other. Or something high like that. I had slippage on the camber bolt as well, but was able to fix that by tightening to the spec found in the FSM.